SMART seeks funding for San Rafael to Larkspur train segment

An extension of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit commuter train service from San Rafael to Larkspur is slowly moving to the fore as officials open the door to seek federal funding for the work.

The rail agency will submit a letter to the Federal Transportation Administration requesting entry into its "Small Starts" program. The program funds new projects as well as extensions to commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail, bus rapid transit, street cars and ferries.

The process is competitive, so SMART wants to have its paperwork ready to go and is embarking on plans to get it "shovel ready."

A rail connection to Larkspur Landing and Golden Gate Ferry service to take commuters into San Francisco has been a SMART objective since its inception. When voters in Sonoma and Marin counties approved a quarter-cent sales tax in 2008, the project was for train service from Cloverdale to Larkspur.

But the downturn in the economy left the project without full funding and the ability to borrow the needed money to complete all the work as promised. Now the project is being phased, and a $360 million San Rafael-to-Santa Rosa line is under construction and expected to be operational by early 2016.

When the SMART board met last week it approved a resolution designating the San Rafael to Larkspur link as its "preferred alternative," a move needed to start a process that could land it millions of dollars to build the 2.2-mile segment. Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood recommended SMART make that designation in order to be eligible for more federal funding.

"This is the first step we can take to be eligible for federal money, which has not happened before (for construction)," said Marin Supervisor Judy Arnold, SMART board chairwoman. "It's a big deal; it doesn't mean we will get the funds, but we will be eligible for them."

And with indicators showing the financial picture improving, there is a reason for optimism, Arnold said.

"The train has to get to Larkspur and connect regionally," she said.

The agency is doing an analysis to determine just how much it will cost to build the extension, according to SMART officials.

Work has already been done on a key stretch south of San Rafael. In December 2010 the revamped Cal Park Hill Tunnel, an 1,100-foot tube, was opened at a cost of $28 million with the costs split between the county and SMART. The tunnel, which is 30 feet wide and 25 feet tall, has been divided, part dedicated to the rail right of way, the other to bicycle and pedestrian use.

In 2009, SMART received $427,000 from Congress for an alternatives analysis, which it completed. In 2010, the agency received a second earmark for $2.5 million for technical, environmental and engineering design on the San Rafael-to-Larkspur segment.

Now SMART will use that money to complete required environmental studies, as well as engineering and design for the segment, as it positions itself to get federal money.

"The SMART board has always been committed to Larkspur," Mansourian said, adding efforts are also under way to find a way to extend service north of Santa Rosa, to Cloverdale. "We want to be ready when the money becomes available. Doing the work ahead of time gets us in better position."